economy 21 August 2026 Uganda Investment Authority
Museveni Advocates for Enhanced Government-Private Sector Synergy in Industrialization Drive
President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized the critical need for robust partnerships between the government and the private sector to fast-track Uganda's industrialization, deepen regional economic ties, and foster sustainable economic growth. Source: https://ugandainvest.go.ug/president-museveni-calls-for-stronger-govt-private-sector-partnerships-to-accelerate-industrialization
President Yoweri Museveni has underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector as a key strategy to accelerate industrialization and enhance regional economic integration.
The President’s message was conveyed by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, during the 3rd Annual Regional Industrialization Conference (RIC) 2026, held in Kampala.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Industrial Competitiveness through Innovation and Regional Value Chain Integration,” convened policymakers and private sector leaders to strategize on advancing industrial development. Minister Musasizi highlighted that industrialization is central to Uganda’s economic transformation, creating jobs, adding value to natural resources, and boosting intra-regional trade.
Uganda’s industrialization strategy is significantly supported by the development of industrial parks, such as the Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP) at Namanve and the Sino-Uganda Bio-Industrial Park in Mbale. These parks are designed as strategic production hubs to serve both domestic and wider African markets, attracting investments in sectors like agro-processing, manufacturing, and logistics.
Minister Musasizi urged stakeholders to view East Africa as a unified market of over 400 million people, further expanded by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to approximately 1.4 billion. He reiterated Uganda’s commitment to deepening East African Community economic integration by addressing non-tariff barriers and improving market access.
Achieving Uganda’s ambitious economic growth targets requires a sustained partnership between the government and the private sector. The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, identified challenges such as access to reliable power, infrastructure, and regional connectivity as crucial areas needing attention.
Humphrey Nzeyi, Chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), noted that while manufacturing’s contribution to regional GDP is below target, it plays a vital role in Uganda’s economy, supporting employment and revenue. He called for practical solutions to improve access to finance, address infrastructure deficits, and combat illicit trade.
Martin Muhangi, Deputy Director at the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), presented Uganda’s strong economic performance, with projected growth and increased FDI. He invited investors to partner in harnessing opportunities in agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, manufacturing, and technology, emphasizing the move from raw material export to value-added production.
“Our message to investors is simple: Uganda is open for partnerships that create value locally and compete regionally and globally. Let us move beyond exporting raw materials and build industries that capture more value, create quality jobs and accelerate economic transformation,” Muhangi stated.
The conference concluded with a reinforced call for government-private sector collaboration to drive production, investment, employment, and trade, fostering competitive industries and integrated regional value chains.